TRIPOLI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes between forces allied with the government and an armed group in the south of Libya's capital Tripoli on Wednesday killed five and injured 20 others, the Ministry of Health said.

The minister also issued orders to meet all requirements of the emergency departments of public hospitals in the city, a ministry statement said.

Earlier in the day, southern Tripoli witnessed violent clashes between government forces and an armed group called the Seventh Brigade.

Residents said heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard in the area, as many civilians already fled the conflict area.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) warned the warring factions against breach of the cease-fire agreement concluded in September 2018, saying the escalation "compromises stability in the capital and ... endangers the lives of civilians and their properties."

The armed group Seventh Brigade on Tuesday warned the UN-backed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj against "military escalation" in southern Tripoli.

In August 2018, violent clashes broke out in southern Tripoli between forces allied with the government and the Seventh Brigade militia, killing 117 and injuring more than 500 others, mostly civilians.

The clashes ended with the warring parties signing a UN-sponsored cease-fire agreement, after which the government approved new security arrangements in Tripoli that focus on replacing armed groups with regular police and security forces.

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the country has been suffering escalating violence and chaos, as well as political division.